A complication that is rare but very severe is thyrotoxicosis or thyroid storm. It happens when there is too much thyroid hormone is released into the body’s circulation. It can be life-threatening, but death is not common if treated early. This complication seems to be the result of stressors in the body of a patient with hyperthyroidism and are prone to it after having a thyroidectomy because there can be a released amount of hormones when it is being manipulated (Lewis, 2013, p. 1197-1198).
Complications that can arise that the nurse and caregiver should report right away to the physician are thyrotoxicosis signs and symptoms:
Tachycardia
Heart palpitations
Perspiration
Shakiness
Tremors
Trouble breathing
Nausea
Vomiting (Sommers, 2011, p. 514).
Heart failure
Shock
Hyperthermia
Restlessness
Irritability
Seizures
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Delirium
Coma (Lewis, 2013, p. 1198).
Other signs and symptoms that should be reported are an increase in neck swelling, dysphagia or weight loss (Sommers, 2011, p. 514).
Treatment includes reducing the thyroid hormone levels and symptoms with drug therapy. Other treatments for symptoms are treating respiratory distress, fever, fluid replacement and taking care of the patient’s stressors (Lewis, 2013, p. 1198).
A complication that is rare but very severe is thyrotoxicosis or thyroid storm. It happens when there is too much thyroid hormone is released into the body’s circulation. It can be life-threatening, but death is not common if treated early. This complication seems to be the result of stressors in the body of a patient with hyperthyroidism and are prone to it after having a thyroidectomy because there can be a released amount of hormones when it is being manipulated (Lewis, 2013, p. 1197-1198).
Complications that can arise that the nurse and caregiver should report right away to the physician are thyrotoxicosis signs and symptoms:
Other signs and symptoms that should be reported are an increase in neck swelling, dysphagia or weight loss (Sommers, 2011, p. 514).
Treatment includes reducing the thyroid hormone levels and symptoms with drug therapy. Other treatments for symptoms are treating respiratory distress, fever, fluid replacement and taking care of the patient’s stressors (Lewis, 2013, p. 1198).
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